Freemasons For Dummies (For Dummies (History, Biography & Politics))

Book Description

At last, a plain-English guide to Freemasonry-the secret society that's reportedly at the center of Dan Brown's forthcoming novel The Solomon Key

With Freemasonry featured prominently in The Da Vinci Code as well as the hit movie National Treasure, it's no wonder that more and more people are curious about this ancient organization, and interest is sure to intensify when Dan Brown's new blockbuster appears. This balanced, eye-opening guide demystifies Freemasonry, explaining everything from its elaborate rituals and cryptic rites to the veiled symbols and their meanings. The book profiles famous Freemasons throughout history including many of America's Founding Fathers as well as prominent politicians and business leaders offers a balanced assessment of the many controversies and conspiracy theories that continue to swirl around Freemasonry. For anyone who wants an evenhanded overview of Freemasonry's past, present, and future, this guide is the key.

Christopher Hodapp (Indianapolis, IN) is a Mason who has traveled extensively reporting on Masonic practices in Great Britain, France, and elsewhere. He is currently a Past Master and a Master of his lodge. Hodapp edits the lodge newsletter and has written for the Grand Lodge magazine, the Indiana Freemason.

Customer Reviews:

An Exciting Delve Into Freemasonry.......2007-08-23

This book, which is the first one of three written by different authors and publishers in a similar style over the past couple of years, is a must read for anyone contemplating joining the Craft, so that he might ask intelligent questions of the Brothers he knows and who he will meet. It is wide-ranging in its scope and comprehensive in its coverage.

Great book .......2007-08-16

This book was great it gave a wonderful overview of freemasonry. I read this book before I was initiated. it is very well writen to the point and easy to understand. I recommened this book to anyone that is interested in joining the fraternity or if you are just interested in what it is about. For you Masons out there I have used this book for my friends and family that have asked me about Freemasonry. I gave it to a friend of mine who read it and after reading it has asked if he can join.

The Facts, and nothing but the facts..........2007-08-11

This is a great overview of the history of the Masons and all fraternal organizations and a good overview of the craft. I recommend it to all Masons and Mason-Wannabe's. A good read and great info!

Great resource for the aspiring mason.......2007-06-29

This book has been a great resource for me while learning about the history and structure of the Freemasons. About 4 months ago I finally took the step and petitioned my local lodge. Since then, I have undergone a background check, meet and greet, recommendation process, investigation by a 3 person committee and a ballot in open lodge at which point I was accepted into the fraternity. Since my lodge has "gone dark" for the next 2 months and I am awaiting my Entered Apprentice Degree, I wanted to take the time to study the history and trappings of the Craft WITHOUT ruining the surprise of the rituals. The Author took great care not to expose any Masonic secrets which meant that this was exactly what the Doctor ordered.

I have also purchased The Complete Idiot's Guide to Freemasonry (Complete Idiot's Guide to) and have found that to be an equally compelling read. You can't go wrong with either of these as far as I'm concerned.

An easily accessible text about the organization........2007-06-21

If you are interested in the Freemasons and are willing to accept that they are not to blame for everything from the great flood to 9/11 then you will find this an interesting look at the organization. Sometimes the truth is even stranger then the rumors and this will be the case as you explore there traditions and rituals of the group.

Average customer rating:

Good, despite being very simple at times
Politics for Dummies
Good job
Neither for dummies, nor comprehensive on the politics
Slightly flawed, but a good place to start

Politics for Dummies
Ann DeLaney
Manufacturer: For Dummies
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0764508873

Book Description

Whether you understand politics or not, it still affects your life in very real ways. But American politics can be confusing. What’s a caucus? How do primaries work? How can you sift through all the babble to get to the truth?

Politics For Dummies offers all these answers and more. And it’s not just for political novices; even those with a firm understanding of politics can use this book to fill out their knowledge of the little complexities – from how the Electoral College works to campaign contribution limits. If you have little or no knowledge of politics, don’t worry. Most people need answers just like you do, that’s why this book helps you:

Pick the candidate who best represents your views
Donate time or money to a campaign
Let your representatives know how you feel
Run for office yourself

This simple, friendly guide offers the kind of straight talk on politics you won’t get from a politician. It covers the nuts and bolts of the political process so you’ll have a working knowledge of the system. It shows you how to get involved at the grass-roots level and explains the rationale behind the two-party system. It helps you parse the propaganda to get at the truth and offers a complete explanation of presidential politics. Politics For Dummies covers these topics and many more:

How public opinion polls work
How money influences policy
Why your opinion really does count
How to donate to political campaigns and causes
Contacting your representatives
Politics on the Internet
Choosing parties and candidates
Lobbyists and special interest groups
How candidates sell themselves
How negative campaigning works
What happened in the 2000 presidential election

You’ll also find fun and helpful extras like famous political quotes, the ten things you should teach your children about politics, and voting requirements for every state. Democracy won’t work for if you don’t participate in it. So pick up Politics For Dummies, get informed, and get involved. Your country will thank you!

Customer Reviews:

Good, despite being very simple at times.......2007-03-27

First of all, I didn't get this book from Amazon, so I was forced to write this review without an account. I borrowed this book from my local library. I am not actually under thirteen, if that matters at all.

On to the book. The book begins with a very basic overview of how the government works. You should probably have some basic knowledge of the legislative branch and executive branch in the United States (for which the book is written, if you live outside the US, sorry, but this probably isn't for you). Once you know this, this book explains in very plain language the politics surrounding elections. The book explains why candidates make actions, who has the largest impact on official descisions, what you can do to help candidates and much more. It doesn't go that in-depth on the topic, but if you want to learn about politics just to get a better of elections and such, this is definitely for you.

Politics for Dummies.......2007-01-09

Haven't read the whole thing, but so far it has been very simple to understand and read.

Good job.......2006-06-30

Good job getting merchandise to me in great condition. Would buy again.

Neither for dummies, nor comprehensive on the politics.......2005-06-26

Having only read the first few chapters, I was somewhat hesitant to submit a review for this book. Ultimately I decided that, notwithstanding, I had some worthwhile comments to put forward which may be of use to other potential readers.

Politics is a topic to which I have devoted little energy throughout my life. If the key issues in an election are gay marriage and abortion, then the significant societal issues affecting the majority of people would appear to be under control. Accordingly I have found myself ambivalent as to the outcome of most elections in mature democracies, such as in the USA. I consider this to be the ultimate victory of democracy. However my apathy for the subject lead me to the realisation that I was grossly ignorant of the structures and systems of centralised authority, to which we are all subject, and that I should read a book on the subject to set that straight.

Politics for Dummies was my obvious first choice. I have used the Dummies series for various topics in the past, and have always appreciated their clear, well-illustrated and user friendly lay-out. Their comprehensive approach to a subject, starting with fundamentals for the novice and building therefrom, while simultaneously providing a ready reference book through their thorough indexes and tables of content, put them in a class of their own. Unfortunately, I was very disappointed with this offering for the following reasons:

1. The book is incorrectly titled. Politics is a global phenomenon , and any `dummies' primer on the topic should necessarily present its material from a global perspective. I am not a US resident, so my views and expectations may differ from those of the majority of readers and reviewers, yet I stand by my point. A comprehensive understanding of politics should encompass a historical overview from ancient times, Greek & Roman senators, the European powers of yesteryear and its evolution to the current US political system, as well as the fledgling democracies of South Africa, Afghanistan & Iraq etc. The book should be titled `US Politics for Dummies'.

2. The book launches into the subject taking numerous fundamentals for granted. Very early on it describes how many citizens are represented by each senator versus each representative, and how these numbers have evolved over time. I don't know the difference between a senator, representative or congressman. That's why I bought the book! My ignorance in these matters may construe me as a `wildcard' reader, whom the author should not realistically be expected to accommodate. Yet I would wager that a large number of Americans are similarly clueless, including plentiful naturalized citizens who lack a US education. From its flying start, the book doesn't look back, and continues to describe how you can immerse yourself in the political environment, raise funds, manage campaigns ... all the while leaving us political ignoramuses unenlightened and unable to follow the topics on account of a dire lack of grounding in the fundamentals. Perhaps the book should be titled `US Politics for Those Who Already Understand the Basics', alternatively they should initiate a `Complete Morons' series.

The other reviews were something of a revelation to me, with contributors variously claiming that the book was too simplistic, alternatively a covert piece of Democratic propaganda, and those who repudiated this stating that it was entirely non-partisan. Indeed, if taken chronologically, the reviews read like a partisan debate with critics responding vociferously to assertions made in previous reviews. Few, if any, appear to be evaluating the merits of the book as an introduction to politics, and most writers appear to be politically savvy and strongly opinionated ... not the target audience that I would assume for a `Dummies' title.

To be fair, I haven't truly considered the merits of the book in its own right. Well I couldn't! After a few pages I was completely lost. I awarded one star on account of its complete failure to meet my expectations of a `Dummies' title. If I were politically aware, and looking to embark on a political career, perhaps this book would fit the bill. I did however feel that the tone displayed an unmotivated exuberance - `You too can make a difference', `It behoves you to get involved', `Run your own campaign' (not actual quotes). This style of writing belongs more to the `Overnight Millionaire' type of literature. Furthermore if, as alleged, the book is a thinly veiled Democratic propaganda tool, then it may well be worthy of only one star, even on its own merits.

It is an irony therefore that my experience with this book (which include its reviews and my efforts to compose this assessment) have merely reinforced my complacency towards politics. I am more than happy to let egos and tempers flare in heated debate over whether to teach creationism or evolution, or how to handle Iraq or the deficit. Meanwhile I will focus my energies on the seemingly pragmatic matters of providing for my family, and hopefully making a positive difference to those whom I encounter in life. And I strive to do this in whatever environment the politicians create for us.

In conclusion, I acknowledge that I may be a lone voice in the wilderness here. While the book completely failed to meet my expectations, it seems to have generated interest and debate among the other reviewers, who presumably are the author's intended readership. Furthermore, the fact that I only read the first few chapters must surely temper the integrity of my review. However, it is a large world, and there are surely some of you out there who are looking for the same answers as I am. I recommend you keep looking.

Slightly flawed, but a good place to start.......2004-04-24

I would simply like to state that the premise of lower-class whites primarily voting as democrats is way off base. The fact is, white males with a high school diploma or less vote republican, college grads generally vote democrat, and anything above that is generally split. Typically those in the lower class have either a high school diploma or less and thus vote republican. Trust me, I do this for a living. While this book is lightly flawed in some areas and does leave some critical areas untouched, I feel that it is a great primer.

Average customer rating:

Informative overview of the entire Middle East
GONNA DEPLOY? BUY THIS BOOK.
The Story Behind the Story
Interesting compilation of information
Fact based, unbiased, and informative

The Middle East for Dummies
Jr. Davis Craig
Manufacturer: For Dummies
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0764554832

Book Description

Demystifies the area's culture, politics, and religions

Explore Middle Eastern history from ancient to modern times

Looking to better understand the Middle East? This plain-English guide explains the importance of the region, especially in light of recent events. You'll meet its people and their leaders, discover the differences and similarities between Arab and Western mindsets, and examine the wars and conflicts - including the Israeli-Palestinian turmoil - that led up to the current political situation.

The Dummies Way

Explanations in plain English
"Get in, get out" information
Icons and other navigational aids
Tear-out cheat sheet
Top ten lists
A dash of humor and fun

Customer Reviews:

Informative overview of the entire Middle East.......2006-12-28

The Middle East for Dummies gives a fairly even-handed overview of the Middle East region - its people, history, traditions as well as political and religious conflicts. The writer has actually travelled to the region and spent time with many ordinary people there. Reading this book really made me think about the fact that people are just people everywhere. I learned a lot about the diversity of cultures and people within the Middle East and got a solid understanding of how the political conflict in the region developed. The writer gives both sides of the story, which is really refreshing for such a charged up subject. If you want to really learn something, this is a great book. I'd also beware of other reviewers here; look at their profiles and see how biased they are. I normally don't write reviews, but when I saw the quality of reviews on books on this subject, I really felt I should write something.

GONNA DEPLOY? BUY THIS BOOK........2006-06-24

This is a great book to get your feet wet. It introdues this historical characters both current players and past. Given this context it is a great spring board for other texts into researching the Middle East and interesting religious, cultural and political concepts in the Middle East.

If I were to add anything to the reviews here a really well devleoped bibliography would have been helpful. That's almost alays a great further reading sections that empowers the reader to dive into what ever particular subject material is of interest to them.

I have been doing a lot of Middle East Research and often find this a great place to start when looking into something as a resource. It was a very fast and easy read. If you're deploying to the Middle East for a military operation and want some insight and understanding into the culture, the clanish mentality of the tribes there, buy this book. It will be very helpful.

The Story Behind the Story.......2006-02-26

I bought this book as sort of a starting point to read other books about the current Middle East mess, and found it to be quite informative; provides a number of maps and pictures to show the layout of the region's past, and brings the reader up to date (though it's ever-changing) on the turmoil going on there now. The Middle East for Dummies, however, is not just Bullets Over Baghdad; it contains information about it's colorful culture throughout the years, and serves well as a reference guide, whether, as other posts state, it is biased or not.

Interesting compilation of information.......2005-08-13

Contains fair amount of information; Due to ever changing conditions, the text is becoming outdated.

Fact based, unbiased, and informative.......2005-03-14

This book serves its purpose well. The author presents the history and culture of the Middle East by laying out the facts, and weaving in editorial comments to enhance understanding of the facts. Reading this book will allow anyone to have a basic, but strong understanding of the region. I disagree strongly that this book is biased; quite to the contrary, it is one of the few English language books about the Middle East that presents the facts and the the persepctive of all sides truly evenly.

Average customer rating:

A quick guide to the Presidents
A Great Broad Primer of the U.S. Presidents
Fun and Informative
Great Job
A great introduction

U.S. Presidents for Dummies
Marcus Stadelmann
Manufacturer: For Dummies
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0764508857

Book Description

Forty-three Americans have held the job of President of the United States. Each has a story, be it one of vision, accomplishment, conflict, scandal, triumph, or tragedy. And each story is at the center of the national story, a part of what we all experience. History buffs find endless fascination – and a greater understanding of America today – in the colorful personalities and momentous events that surround the Oval Office.

If you want the complete take on U. S. presidents, from George Washington to George W. Bush, you’ll appreciate U. S. Presidents for Dummies. Written in a lively style by a history professor at the University of Texas, this fun guidebook of chief executives is packed with information, factoids, and memorable quotes. Inside, you’ll find out which president:

Promised to only serve one term, and kept his word!
Was a great person but a rotten president
Campaigned on nothing but image – in the n ineteenth century!
May be the most underrated president in history
Had his own distributor bringing liquor to the White House – during Prohibition!
Appointed the first female cabinet member
Pushed through the first civil rights legislation after the end of the Civil War
Said of himself, “I am a man of limited talents from a small town. I don’t seem to grasp that I am president”

U. S. Presidents for Dummies offers a wealth of knowledge on what it takes to be the leader of the free world, and who has stepped up to the challenge. Dividing the ranks of presidents into chronological groups for a broader, historical understanding of the office, this book discusses:

The birth and evolution of the presidency
Ineffective presidents
Forgettable presidents
Working up to the Civil War
Reconstruction presidents
Becoming a force in the world
Instituting the Imperial Presidency
Today’s changing dynamics and the Presidency

A treasury of information, this book features an easy-to-comprehend style and sharp historical analysis. Sidebars, photos, timelines, and best and worst lists make U. S. Presidents for Dummies a historical blast to read and a must-have for understanding the state of both yesterday’s and today’s union.

Customer Reviews:

A quick guide to the Presidents.......2007-04-24

This is a great introduction to American history, excellent for mid graders beginning social studies or just anybody interested in trivia on all the presidents up to George W. Bush's early years. I loved it and used it to get to know some of the presidents that I am not too familiar with like James Monroe, Martin Van Buren, John Tyler, and many of the other lesser presidents. It also goes into some detail into the great ones like George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Woodrow Wilson, John F. Kennedy, and so forth. It also talks about the flaws and some of the things that the men wanted to accomplish and what they didn't. There is also a list of 10 best and 10 worst presidents, and the arguments for them are pretty convincing. If there is a fault to the book it is that I really wanted more info on some of them, and all I got was the very basics. Still, great for what it is, a general once over of the most important men in the world.

A Great Broad Primer of the U.S. Presidents.......2006-07-26

I really like this book because it gives one a great overview of each president. The author doesn't hold back or gloss over any of the presidents. If he thinks one did well, he says so and why. The converse is true for the bad ones.

Each president is given a short pre-history to their presidenthood, a short overview of their actions (and mis-actions) in office and what happened to them when they left.

The edition I own goes up to Preisdent George W. Bush's first term.

I highly recommend it with you need to know the basics of a president to get you started on larger research.

Fun and Informative.......2005-09-21

This is a fun reference source for information about our Presidents. It is a valuable teaching tool and is loaded with "good stuff" and gossip to help put a human face on these men.

Great Job.......2004-04-12

Thank you BooksandPrint. The book got to me on one day before the first day for delivery. I found some minor flaws in the book including a rip on the bottom of the page on the section on Richard Nixon and a misprint on one of the elections in the back where one of the canidate got credit for more electoral votes then he was entitled. I disagree with some of the ranking of the presidents including Bill Clinton. I was amazed that Clinton was not ranke one of the worst ten presidents.

A great introduction.......2003-03-03

Do you want to know what makes a Great President? Do you want to know the names and details of some of the 43 that you've never heard of? Do you want to know the people behind the historical facts?

This book is a great introduction to US presidents for the lay reader. I bought it because I felt underinformed about American history, and couldn't name even half of our presidents. The book certainly helped increase my breadth of knowledge on the subject. It also provided enough tongue in cheek humor to make the history interesting.

Book Description

Congress For Dummies helps you sort out what Congress does on a daily basis and what it all means to you, the citizen. It shows you how to get organized, make your voice heard, and influence legislation that might affect you. Full of helpful resources such as contact information for House and Senate offices, and smart, straightforward explanations of the legislative process, this book is everything you need to understand Congress and get involved in your government.

Whether you just want to know how government works, or you want to get involved to change your country, this simple guide covers all the ins and outs of Congress. It’s a nonpartisan look at Congress that includes forewords by Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert and Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle. Inside you’ll find easy explanations and helpful tips on how to:

Get involved in the democratic process
Influence legislation that’s important to you
Understa nd Congress and the media
Contact your senators and representatives
Check out Congress in action, in person
Deal with congressional staff

Expert author David Silverberg — Managing Editor and a columnist at the Washington weekly The Hill — takes the mystery out of getting something done in Congress, introducing you to the players and explaining everything from legislation and lobbying to caucuses and coalitions. Written with the citizen advocate in mind, this helpful guide gives regular people the tools and knowledge they need to achieve their aims. Inside, you’ll discover:

How the three branches of government work together
How to register your opinion with your elected officials
How the legislative process works — from idea to law
How debates, conferences, and vetoes work
How budgeting and appropriations work
How to get the most effect from your political contributions
How the lobbying process works
How to advocate for legislation
How to deal with congressional staffers
How to make use of congressional services

Getting something done in the messy confusion of democracy and bureaucracy is no easy task. Full of the kind of information and knowledge that Washington insiders take for granted, Congress For Dummies levels the playing field so that regular people — just like you — can make a difference, too.

Customer Reviews:

Congress For Dummies.......2007-08-20

I received this book in a timely manner, it is well written, and gave me the information I hoped.

Help for the budding lobbyist.......2003-05-02

This is a clearly written introduction to how the legislature works, right down to how to get around the different Congressional buildings. OK, so it's not exactly a graduate poli-sci text but Silverberg is the Editor of The Hill, so he's certainly got the credentials to put this book out. Sure wish we'd had this book *before* we'd done our first legislative visit!!

Very good book.......2002-12-12

This was a Dummies book that didn't look down on me. It had a lot of info on it that was pretty cool. It sure helped me on my AP Government test. Also considering I'm interested in Government, it had a lot of useful ideas to help me write bill proposals and other things to Congress.

I also liked the foreward. Senator Daschle, we ned a lot more people in office like you.

Buy this book. It has good things that help you.

THE BEST CONGRESS BOOK EVER.......2002-12-11

If there was ever a book for congress that you had to buy, this is it. In fact, if this was the only book you had to buy, buy this book before any other. It is the Bible of budgets, the Torah of truth, and the Koran of Congress.

This book has it all. It has information for the experienced legislator as well as useful information for any layman. It helpes me every time I have proposed any idea for a bill to my congressman, and has told me who my congressman even was (Tom Wolfe, a very withdrawn, yet supposedly experienced man).

It gives information vital for everyone to know, as well as extrememly interesting facts (there has been two extremely brutal fights in congress). There is also information for which I never had any idea about but am interested about now, such as information, as well as the origin, of jerrymandering.

Book Description

A rip-roaring ride through the history of the Emerald Isle

Ireland’s story is an amazingly dramatic and intense one – and today the influence of Irish culture can be felt around the globe. This book helps you find out why, taking you on a rollercoaster journey through the highs and lows of Ireland’s past including invasions, battles, executions, religious divide, uprisings, emigration – and Riverdance!

Mike Cronin is a lecturer at the Centre for Irish Programmes, Boston College, Dublin. He has written 5 books on Irish history.

Discover:

When and how Ireland became Celtic
Ireland and Britain’s complex relationship
The evolution of Irish culture
How Irish emigration has affected the world
Northern Ireland’s rocky road to peace

Customer Reviews:

Great education.......2007-07-23

This book is a tremendous way to get quickly educated on Irish history. It is thorough and well-written.

irish history for dummies.......2007-01-15

Excellent, but not as good as An Idiots Guide to ireland.

British History for Dummies (For Dummies (History, Biography & Politics))

Average customer rating:

Only a quick intro, and not much help for those who want more
Wonderfully entertaining- and you learn something too!
Best history book
god save the queen !!
Informative yet humorous

British History for Dummies (For Dummies (History, Biography & Politics))
Sean Lang
Manufacturer: For Dummies
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0470035366

Book Description

Bestseller! Now with extended coverage of modern British history

Britain's past brought right up to date

This book is a riotous, irreverent account of the people and events that have shaped Britain. Always get those kings and queens confused? Never sure what happened when? You need this book. Inside you'll find rip-roaring stories of power-mad kings, executions, invasions, high treason, global empire-building, and forbidden love - not bad for a nation of stiff upper lips.

Praise for British History For Dummies

"It puts the history of Britain into the sort of perspective I've always hoped for."
—Terry Jones, Monty Python star and co-author of Who Murdered Chaucer?

"Honestly—you can't beat British History For Dummies."
—Bernard Cornwell, author of the Sharpe novels

Discover how to

Famous and infamous Britons
Key royal, military, and cultural eras
Power in Britain: Who lost it, who took it
The rise and fall of Britain's global empire
History as it connects to Britain today

Download Description

"A stirring trip through the essentials of British History.

Britain's past brought right up to date.

This book is a riotous, irreverent account of the people and events that have shaped Britain. It's a ""who, what, when, where and why"" that reads like a thriller and a comedy rolled into one. Inside you'll find rip-roaring stories of power-mad kings, executions, invasions, high treason, global empire-building and forbidden love - not bad for a nation of stiff upper lips.

Discover:

Famous and infamous Britons
Key royal, military and cultural eras
Power in Britain: who lost it, who took it
The rise and fall of Britain's global empire
History as it connects to Britain today

Customer Reviews:

Only a quick intro, and not much help for those who want more.......2007-10-11

I found this book to be a positive introduction to British history. It's challenging to move fast enough to cover such a wide topic while also giving enough detail to make it interesting. This book focuses more on the kings and queens than on the culture of England. What was most striking to me was how thin the bonds of empire can be within the British Isles and how central religion was to defining the nature of Britain. I wanted a little bit more detail on British imperialism. I felt that the last hundred pages or so were rushed. Also, I was annoyed by a lot of parenthetical asides (go back to my first sentence to see the challenge of writing this history, stuff like that). My biggest criticism of this book is that there is no bibliography. Now that I've gotten a quick intro to British history, I'd like to have something in the "Part of 10s" that the Dummies series offers that offers some further reading. I've taken a Complete Idiot's on the History of the Roman Empire, and I'm pleased that there's a bibliography in that book in case I want to read other works on the Romans aimed at a popular audience.

This is a decent book if you're looking to get a quick primer in British history, but I'm sure that there is better stuff out there. Gotta give this 2.5 stars.

Wonderfully entertaining- and you learn something too!.......2007-05-23

I wanted to read a general history of Britain, and that is just what I got. The book takes you from the very beginnings to present day and is a great overview of Britain's history. I really enjoyed reading it. It wasn't dry and boring, but very entertaining while giving you important info. I highly recommend it. In fact, I am ordering US History for Dummies and hope that it is just as good.

Best history book .......2007-05-16

If I had of had this book when in high school, I would have liked history. (History was not my favorite class in those days.)

god save the queen !!.......2007-03-17

as a non british person this book can make you a spesialiesd person in the british history . try and you will see

Informative yet humorous.......2006-11-04

What a wonderful survey course in British History! The author is an authority and provides just the right amount of information for a book "for the rest of us". I was interested in this history because I'm doing genealogy, and my ancestors came over with William the Conqueror and then the Scottish ones were among the Protestants who went and settled in Ulster. I wanted the historical background for this and I got it -- with a lot of humor along the way! This has got to be the first *history* book I've ever read that caused me to laugh out loud while reading!

I highly recommend this to anyone interested in an overview of British history from pre-historic times to the present.

European History for Dummies (For Dummies (History, Biography & Politics))

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Making History Interesting!

European History for Dummies (For Dummies (History, Biography & Politics))
Sean Lang
Manufacturer: For Dummies
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0764570609

Book Description

A fun, informative guide to Europe’s past and present.

The history of Europe is rich, complex, vibrant, and at times violent; it has influenced many countries throughout the world and has itself been influenced by many countries. In the light-hearted European History For Dummies, historian Sean Lang explores the countries, conflicts, people, institutions, disasters, and triumphs that have helped shape modern-day Europe, packing in tons of facts alongside the fun. Chapters range from "Celts without Kilts" and "What a Way to Run a Republic!" to "I Capture Quite a Few Castles," "Reformation Ruckus," and "The War to End All Wars."

Sean Lang, the author of British History For Dummies (0-7645-7021-8), is also a history lecturer, examiner, and writer.

Customer Reviews:

Making History Interesting!.......2007-05-20

I took AP European History. I used this "for dummies" book in order to prepare myself for the exam. It was one of the few books that I could read without falling asleep. If I would have had this book before I took the class to give myself an idea of where the class was going, I would have saved myself a lot of pain, trouble, and headache.

The most important aspect of this book are the interesting side stories about certain individuals. They make history more personable and sometimes funny.

I would highly recommend this book for anyone interested in a *broad* overview of European History or for someone who is sick of the conventional history books.

John Paul II For Dummies (For Dummies (History, Biography & Politics))

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John Paul II For Dummies (For Dummies (History, Biography & Politics))
John Trigilio , Kenneth Brighenti , and Jonathan Toborowsky
Manufacturer: For Dummies
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0471773824

Book Description

The first Polish Pope, John Paul II, was a thinker and a leader whose religious convictions defined a new approach toward world politics—and changed the course of history. When he died on April 2, 2005, millions around the world mourned his passing. No other person in recent history has had such a tremendous display of respect and honor. The fact that so many non-Catholics honored this man attests to his effect on the world—and not just within his own religion.

Now, you can get to know the man behind the papacy and appreciate his remarkable achievements. John Paul II For Dummies is a friendly, plain-English guide to the life and legacy of one of the world's most beloved religious leaders. You'll discover:

The Pope's influences
His personal struggles
How he impacted the Church
His approach to world politics
The ways he spread his message

Rev. John Trigilio Jr, PhD, and Rev. Kenneth Brighenti, PhD, explain the vision and perspective of the man known as the “people's pope.” You’ll come to know John Paul II's early influences and defining moments as well as his personal successes and tragedies. You'll trace his career from priesthood to bishop to the papacy as the authors reveal:

The effect he had on Vatican II
How he defended and upheld church teaching and tradition
The pivotal reforms he enacted
His role in such important events as the fall of Communism and the Vatican/Israel negotiation
John Paul's views on anti-Semitism, forgiveness, and the role of women in the Church
His efforts to help young people

Book Description

"A must for anyone interested in the Roman Empire and its impact on world history."
—Tony Robinson star of Blackadder and Time Team.

This entertaining and informative guide introduces readers to the amazing world of ancient Rome and its emperors, epic wars, awesome architecture, heroes, and villains. With a complete rundown of Roman history alongside fascinating insights into the lives of everyday Romans, readers will discover the amazing people and events involved in the rise and fall of one of the greatest of all ancient civilisations and how its influence can still be felt around the world today.

Guy de la Bédoyère is a historian, archaeologist, and Roman expert, he is well known for his numerous books and appearances on TV, especially Channel 4’s Time Team.

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